We’re nearing the midway point in the 2021 NFL regular season, and seemingly every NFL team is dealing with at least one significant injury entering Week 8. Among those teams is the Cleveland Browns, who are hoping to have at least a few of their marquee players back for Sunday’s home game against the Steelers.
The Dallas Cowboys have decided to list Dak Prescott as questionable against the Minnesota Vikings after the starting quarterback was limited in practice Friday with a calf injury. Prescott is expected to be a game-time decision Sunday.
The defending champion Buccaneers have also had their share of notable injuries that includes tight end Rob Gronkowski, receiver Antonio Brown, cornerback Richard Sherman and pass rusher Jason Pierre-Paul. The Cowboys made headlines this week when quarterback Dak Prescott’s practice workload was limited during to his calf injury.
Here’s a rundown of each NFL team injury report for Week 8. Included in each report is an analysis on the players who may or may not suit up on Sunday.
All odds are courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook.
Bengals (-10.5) at Jets
Bengals: RB Chris Evans (ankle) OUT; WR Auden Tate (thigh) QUESTIONABLE
Jets: RB Tevin Coleman (hamstring), DL Bryce Huff (back), QB Zach Wilson (knee), Trevon Wesco (knee) OUT; WR Corey Davis (hip) DOUBTFUL; S Ashtyn Davis (shoulder), TE Tyler Kroft (back), DL Shaq Lawson (wrist), LB C.J. Mosley (hamstring) QUESTIONABLE
The Bengals did receive good news as it relates to the statuses of center Trey Hopkins, guard Jackson Carman and defensive end Trey Hendrickson. Each player is expected to play after being a full participant during Friday’s practice.
With Wilson out, Mike White will start under center for the Jets. White went 20 of 34 for 202 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions in relief of Wilson during last week’s loss to the Patriots.
Dolphins at Bills (-14)
Dolphins: TBA
Bills: TBA
Analysis to come.
Steelers at Browns (-3.5)
Steelers: TE Eric Ebron (hamstring) OUT; OLB Melvin Ingram (groin) DOUBTFUL
Browns: S Richard LeCounte III (non-injury related), WR Donovan Peoples-Jones (groin), CB Denzel Ward (hamstring) OUT; WR Odell Beckham Jr. (shoulder), DE Jadeveon Clowney (ankle/groin/knee), CB A.J. Green (groin), DT Malik Jackson (knee), Takk McKinley (groin) QUESTIONABLE
Zach Gentry, the Steelers’ best blocking tight end, will get extra playing time Sunday with Ebron out. If Ingram can’t play, the only other backup outside linebacker currently on Pittsburgh’s 53-man roster is Derrek Tuszka, a special teams contributor who has yet to play a defensive snap with the Steelers.
Despite multiple shoulder injuries, Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield will start Sunday’s game after missing the Browns’ Week 7 win over the Broncos. Also returning is running back Nick Chubb, who was also inactive for Cleveland’s last game. Tackle Jedrick Wills is also expected to play after being limited during the week. Beckham was limited this week as he continues to work through his shoulder injury.
Panthers at Falcons (-3)
Panthers: WR Terrace Marshall Jr. (concussion), DE Darryl Johnson (hamstring) OUT; CB CJ Henderson (shoulder), LB Shaq Thompson (foot) QUESTIONABLE
Falcons: None
Both Henderson and Thompson were limited all week. Defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon will play despite being limited earlier in the week.
Titans at Colts (-2.5)
Titans: TBA
Colts: CB BoPete Keyes (hamstring) OUT; OL Braden Smith (foot/thumb), WR T.Y. Hilton (quad), CB Xavier Rhodes (calf) QUESTIONABLE
Smith and Rhodes was able to practice in full after being limited earlier in the week. Hilton was held out of Wednesday’s practice before returning in a limited capacity. Colts coach Frank Reich said that Carson Wentz is feeling “much better” after dealing with ankle sprains earlier in the season.
Rams (-16) at Texans
Rams: TBA
Texans: TBA
Analysis to come.
Eagles (-3.5) at Lions
Eagles: CB Zech McPhearson (hamstring), RB Miles Sanders (ankle/foot) OUT; S Anthony Harris (hands/groin) DOUBTFUL; WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (back) QUESTIONABLE
Lions: OLB Trey Flowers (knee), CB Jerry Jacobs (illness), CB AJ Parker (neck), RB D’Andre Swift (groin), RB Jamaal Williams (thigh) QUESTIONABLE
The Eagles are placing Sanders on injured reserve, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Harris and Arcega-Whiteside returned to practice in a limited capacity after not practicing to start the week.
Each Lions’ player on the final injury report was a limited participant Friday. Swift is expected to go as he continues to play with a groin injury that he has been dealing with since training camp.
49ers (-4) at Bears
49ers: TBA
Bears: LB Khalil Mack (foot) OUT; DB Tashaun Gipson (hip), WR Jakeem Grant (ankle), DL Akiem Hicks (groin), LB Sam Kamara (knee), TE Jesper Horsted (knee) QUESTIONABLE
As expected, Mack will be inactive Sunday as the former Defensive Player of the Year continues to work through his foot injury. Mack’s absence makes Kamara’s injury all the more significant, as he would be in line to replace Mack in the starting lineup. He was a full participant during this week’s practices.
Jaguars at Seahawks (-3.5)
Jaguars: TBA
Seahawks: TBA
Analysis to come.
Patriots at Chargers (-4.5)
Patriots: TBA
Chargers: TBA
Analysis to come.
Buccaneers (-4.5) at Saints
Buccaneers: WR Antonio Brown (ankle) OUT; TE Rob Gronkowski (ribs), LB Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder/hand), CB Richard Sherman (hamstring), LB Lavonte David (ankle), CB Dee Delaney (ankle) QUESTIONABLE
Saints: G/T Andrus Peat (pectoral), RB Dwayne Washington (neck), QB Taysom Hill (concussion), DE Payton Turner (Calf) OUT; WR Deonte Harris (Hamstring) QUESTIONABLE
Antonio Brown was ruled out for Sunday’s game by Bruce Arians prior to the team’s release of their final injury report. The veteran receiver is continuing to deal with an ankle sprain that has sidelined him for the past two weeks. Arians said Gronkowski has “a chance” to play Sunday and there’s potential for David to play this week as well. Gronk was limited in Friday’s practice while David was a full participant.
Harris was limited the last two days and would provide a huge boost to the downfield passing game if he returns. Peat is expected to miss the rest of the season with pectoral surgery so no surprise he’s out. Calvin Throckmorton is expected to start at left guard.
WFT at Broncos (-3)
WFT: WR Dyami Brown (knee), OT Sam Cosmi (ankle), WR Curtis Samuel (groin) OUT; CB William Jackson III (knee), G Brandon Scherff (knee), WR Cam Sims (hamstring), OT Cornelius Lucas (illness) QUESTIONABLE
Broncos: DT Mike Purcell (thumb) OUT; LB Von Miller (ankle), S Jamar Johnson (quad) QUESTIONABLE
Jackson, Scherff and Sims were limited practice participants throughout the week. Antonio Gibson, despite his lingering shin injury, will play Sunday after being limited during the week.
The player not on the injury report that’s worth watching for the Broncos is Jerry Jeudy, who is still on injured reserve with an ankle injury. Denver has plans to designate Jeudy off injured reserve and play him Sunday, but he did not practice Friday. Head coach Vic Fangio remains optimistic Jeudy will play Sunday — as Denver has until Nov. 6 to active him (or else he’s out for the year).
Cowboys at Vikings (-3): ‘Sunday Night Football’
Cowboys: QB Dak Prescott (calf), LT Tyron Smith (ankle), DE Dorance Armstrong (ankle) QUESTIONABLE
Vikings: DT Michael Pierce (elbow) OUT; DE Patrick Jones II (knee) DOUBTFUL; WR Dede Westbrook (ankle) QUESTIONABLE
The Cowboys do have a stretch of six games in 33 days, which is why they have to be cautious regarding playing Prescott this week. Prescott admitted he likely wouldn’t have been able to play when Dallas was on their bye week last week and the decision to play this week isn’t entirely up to him. Cooper Rush would start in place of Prescott if he cannot go.
Good news for the Vikings as Anthony Barr (knee), Alexander Mattison (shoulder), and Adam Thielen (foot) were not given an injury designation for Sunday. All three will be available against Dallas.
Giants at Chiefs (-9.5): ‘Monday Night Football’
Giants: TBA
Chiefs: TBA
Analysis to come.
